The invention relates to a palletizing apparatus (10) comprising a compressing apparatus (60) which has a peripheral closed frame (70), wherein at least one slider (61, 62, 63, 64) that is movable in a horizontal direction is arranged on the frame (70), and a set-down device (50) which defines a transport face (53) for transporting article layers (15). The frame (70) surrounds a through-opening (67) that passes through in a vertical direction (Z), and the set-down device (50) is movable in a longitudinal direction (X) relative to the compressing apparatus (60) between a first longitudinal position, in which the transport face (53) is arranged in a manner offset in the longitudinal direction (X) with respect to the frame (70), and a second longitudinal position, in which a projection of the through-opening (67) in the vertical direction (Z) lies on the transport face (53). The compressing apparatus (60) and the set-down device (50) are in this case arranged on a lifting apparatus (20) so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z). The invention also relates to a method for operating a palletizing apparatus (10) according to the invention, which comprises a plurality of steps.

The invention concerns a conveying device (10) for conveying filled bags (1, 2), comprising a conveying unit (13) by which at least part of a conveying path (3) for conveying filled normal bags (1) can be formed from a feeding station (101) to a stacking area (105). The invention also concerns a system (100) for stacking filled bags (1, 2) and a method for stacking filled bags (1, 2).

The invention concerns a conveying device (10) for conveying filled bags (1, 2), comprising a conveying unit (13) by which at least part of a conveying path (3) for conveying filled normal bags (1) can be formed from a feeding station (101) to a stacking area (105). The invention also concerns a system (100) for stacking filled bags (1, 2) and a method for stacking filled bags (1, 2).

The invention relates to a set-down belt for a palletizing apparatus, comprising a circulating conveyor belt that defines a conveying face for conveying goods, a first deflection roller that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a tensioning roller that is rotatable about a tensioning axis and is movable in a tensioning direction (S). Here, a second deflection roller that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation is provided, wherein the second axis of rotation extends parallel to the first axis of rotation. The tensioning roller is movable such that the tensioning axis extends in an inclined manner with respect to the first axis of rotation and in an inclined manner with respect to the second axis of rotation. The invention also relates to a palletizing apparatus that comprises at least one set-down belt according to the invention.

The invention relates to a set-down belt for a palletizing apparatus, comprising a circulating conveyor belt that defines a conveying face for conveying goods, a first deflection roller that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a tensioning roller that is rotatable about a tensioning axis and is movable in a tensioning direction (S). Here, a second deflection roller that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation is provided, wherein the second axis of rotation extends parallel to the first axis of rotation. The tensioning roller is movable such that the tensioning axis extends in an inclined manner with respect to the first axis of rotation and in an inclined manner with respect to the second axis of rotation. The invention also relates to a palletizing apparatus that comprises at least one set-down belt according to the invention.

An improved gripper mechanism for a palletizer apparatus is configured to receive articles from an associated infeed conveyor in any one of a plurality of orientations of the gripper mechanism relative to the infeed conveyor, thus desirably reducing the cycle time required for each of the articles to be handled and positioned by the gripper mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the gripper mechanism is configured to receive articles through any one of the four sides of the mechanism, thereby desirably reducing the cycle time required for returning the gripper mechanism to a position and orientation for receiving the next successive article from the infeed conveyor.

A cargo handling apparatus includes a first conveyor portion, a first detection portion, a second conveyor portion, a gripping portion, a second detection portion, and a controller. The first conveyor portion is configured to convey an article to be handled in a first direction. The first detection portion is configured to detect article information. The second conveyor portion is configured to convey the article in a second direction. The gripping portion is configured to arrange the article in an accumulating portion. The second detection portion is configured to detect stacking information. The controller is configured to control operation of the gripping portion based on the article information and the stacking information.

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include an end-of-arm tool for moving payloads or pallet stacks from one location to another, comprising a mast system comprising a mast, a plurality of mast gussets, and a mast plate; a frame; a clamp system comprising a plurality of clamp plates and a plurality of ball screws; and a vacuum system comprising a vacuum plate and one or more vacuum cups. Further, one or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include a method of moving materials using an end-of-arm tool comprising aligning the end-of-arm tool over a payload, wherein the end-of-arm tool comprises an undercarriage in a retracted position, a plurality of clamp plates in an extended position, and one or more vacuum cups; lowering the end-of-arm tool towards the payload; engaging the payload with the one or more vacuum cups; engaging the payload with the plurality of clamp plates; and raising the payload into the interior of the end-of-arm tool.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for removing a non-conforming comestible from a counter-stacker. One of the methods includes receiving, on an upper conveyor included in a counter-stacker, a first comestible; transferring, by the counter-stacker that includes a stacking frame and a stacking platform and while the first comestible substantially maintains its shape, the first comestible through an aperture defined within the stacking frame and onto the stacking platform; creating, by the counter-stacker, a stack of comestibles that includes the first comestible and has a threshold quantity; receiving, on the upper conveyor, a second comestible; rotating, by one or more actuators included in the counter-stacker that are coupled to the stacking frame, the stacking frame to cause the second comestible to fall onto a lower conveyor; and removing, by the lower conveyor, the second comestible from the counter-stacker.

The invention relates to a method for transferring a conveyed item (2) from a first conveying device (3) onto a base (5) of an additional conveying device (4), by means of an apparatus (1) having a first conveying device (3) and an additional conveying device (4), by means of which apparatus a conveyed item (2) is moved onto a base (5), characterized in that, by means of a lance device (7) having a plurality of lances, the conveyed item (2) is transferred from the first conveying device (3) onto the base (5), which lies on the second conveying device (4).